Licensure

This information is provided in good faith to applicants as of March 2026.

The Counseling@Northwestern program leads to a Master of Arts in Counseling. The designed outcome is to lead to eligibility to become a Licensed Professional Counselor within Illinois. States typically have additional post license requirements to become eligible for an independent practice license, including additional hours under supervision and testing. In Illinois the independent practice license is Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC); other states may have a different license name.

The Counseling@Northwestern program is accredited by The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Some states may require a different specialized accreditor or may have additional requirements for licensure.

The table below provides a state by state breakdown of comparable licenses, including a determination of eligibility for licensure. This information provided is designed as a baseline determination of whether the program meets individual state specific requirements. Other licenses may be more applicable and/or require additional standards. Licensure requirements and appropriate pathways are subject to change and may differ based on individual student backgrounds, including coursework taken outside the scope of the program. Students should do their own due diligence and determine the appropriate pathway and license type for themselves.

Alabama

What is Issued: License

Name of What’s Issued: 

  1. Associate Licensed Counselor (initial) 
  2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent) 

Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or Commission on Rehabilitation and Education (CORE) accredited program, or the content equivalent of CACREP or CORE.

Examinations: National Counselor Examination (NCE)

Curriculum Requirements: 60 graduate semester hours or 90 quarter hours from a regionally accredited university in each of the following areas:

  1. Counseling Theory
  2. Human Growth and Development
  3. Social and Multicultural Foundations
  4. The Helping Relationship
  5. Group Dynamics, Processing and Counseling
  6. Lifestyle and Career Development
  7. Appraisal of Individuals
  8. Research and Evaluation
  9. Professional Orientation
  10. Practicum
  11. Internship

Field Experience Requirements: 

  1. The practicum must be a minimum of 100 clock hours, to include a minimum of 40 hours in direct client counseling. A minimum of one (1) clock hour per week must be of individual supervision by program faculty, and a minimum of one and one-half (1 ½) clock hours per week must be group supervision. 
  2. The internship must be a minimum of 600 clock hours, to include: a minimum of two hundred and forty (240) hours of direct service work with clients appropriate to the program emphasis area. A minimum of one (1) clock hour per week must be of individual supervision by program faculty, and a minimum of one and one-half (1 ½) clock hours per week must be group supervision

State Regulation: Alabama – Regulations

State Board: Alabama – Board of Examiners in Counseling

Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

Alaska

What is Issued: License

Name of What’s Issued: Licensed Professional Counselor (independent)

Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Regionally or nationally accredited institution

Examinations: National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) or their equivalent

Curriculum Requirements: 60 graduate semester hours. Coursework in at least 8 of the following subject areas: 

  1. The Helping Relationship, including Counseling Theory and Practice
  2. Human Growth and Development
  3. Lifestyle and Career Development
  4. Group Dynamics, Processes, Counseling, and Consulting
  5. Assessment, Appraisal, and Testing of Individuals
  6. Social and Cultural Foundation, including Multicultural Issues
  7. Principles of Etiology, Diagnosis, Treatment Planning, and Prevention of Mental and Emotional Disorders and Dysfunctional behavior
  8. Marriage and Family Counseling Therapy
  9. Research and Evaluation
  10. Professional Counseling Orientation; and Ethics (a minimum of three graduate level credits in ethics required)

Field Experience Requirements: Practicum hours not specified.

State Regulation: Alaska – Regulations

State Board: Alaska – Board of Professional Counselors

Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

Additional Important Information: An initial license is not required to begin accruing postgraduate supervision hours. 

Arizona

What is Issued: License

Name of What’s Issued: 

  1. Licensed Associate Counselor (initial)
  2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent)

Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or regionally accredited college

Examinations: National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) 

Curriculum Requirements: At least 60 semester credit hours or 90 quarter credit hours with at least 3 semester credits in each of  the following eight core content areas:

  1. Professional Orientation and Ethical Practice
  2. Social and Cultural Diversity
  3. Human Growth and Development
  4. Career Development
  5. Helping Relationship
  6. Group Work
  7. Assessment
  8. Research and Program Evaluation

Field Experience Requirements: Counseling practicum of 700 hours, including 240 hours of direct client contact.

State Regulation: Arizona – Regulations

State Board: Arizona – Board of Behavioral Health Examiners

Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

Arkansas

What is Issued: License

Name of What’s Issued: 

  1. Licensed Associate Counselor (initial)
  2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent)

Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or regional accreditation

Examinations: 

  1. The National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) and; 
  2. The Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling Jurisprudence Exam

Curriculum Requirements: 

  1. Professional Identity and Ethics
  2. Social and Cultural Diversity
  3. Human Growth and Development
  4. Career Development
  5. Helping Relations
  6. Group Work
  7. Assessment
  8. Research and Program Evaluation
  9. Practicum and/or Internships (A minimum of 9 Graduate Credit Hours in 3 Graduate Courses over a minimum of 6 months)
  10. Abnormal Psychology/Psychopathology, including Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD) training
  11. Family and Relationship
  12. Technology Assisted Counseling (A minimum of 1 Graduate Credit Hour)

Field Experience Requirements: Total hours have not been specified by the state.

State Regulation: Arkansas – Regulations

State Board: Arkansas – Board of Examiners in Counseling 

Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

Additional Important Information: Applicants can remediate the Technology Assisted Counseling course with an Arkansas-based university, and should contact the board for more information. 

California

What is Issued: License

Name of What’s Issued: 

  1. Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (initial) 
  2. Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (independent) 

Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Regional or national institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education

Examinations: 

  1. The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) and;
  2. The California Law and Ethics Examination

Curriculum Requirements:  At least 60 graduate semester units or 90 graduate quarter units of instruction in the following core content areas:

  1. Counseling and Psychotherapeutic Theories and Techniques
  2. Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan
  3. Career Development Theories and Techniques
  4. Group Counseling Theories and Techniques
  5. Assessment, Appraisal, and Testing of Individuals
  6. Multicultural Counseling Theories and Techniques
  7. Principles of the Diagnostic Process
  8. Research and Evaluation
  9. Professional Orientation, Ethics and Law in Counseling, including California law
  10. Psychopharmacology
  11. Addictions Counseling
  12. Crisis or Trauma Counseling
  13. Advanced Counseling and Psychotherapeutic Theories and Techniques
  14. Practicum/Field Study Experience (A minimum of 6 semester or 9 quarter hours) 
  15. Advanced Coursework to develop knowledge of specific treatment issues of special populations (15 semester or 22.5 quarter hours)
  16. Additional coursework for out-of-state applicants

Field Experience Requirements: A minimum of 280 hours of face-to-face supervised clinical experience counseling individuals, families, or groups. Total hours have not been specified by the state.

State Regulation: California – Regulations

State Board: California – Board of Behavioral Sciences

Federal Disclosure: Meets state requirements

Additional Important Information: 

  1. All 13 core content areas (CCAs) are required PRIOR to issuance of an initial credential.
  2. If the law and ethics course does not contain California content, an applicant must complete a 12-hour California Law and Ethics course.
  3. If the degree did not contain a minimum of 15 semester units or 22.5 quarter units of AC (coursework designed to develop knowledge of specific treatment issues or special populations), the applicant  must complete graduate level coursework to bring the AC total to 15 semester units or 22.5 quarter units. These courses/units must be in addition to CCA courses and units. 

Colorado

What is Issued: License

Name of What’s Issued: 

  1. Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (initial)
  2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent)

Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

Examinations: 

  1. Counselor Certification Examination administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)
  2. State Jurisprudence Examination

Curriculum Requirements: 60 graduate semester hours(no more than 6 semester credits are completed post-degree for purposes of licensure). A minimum of 2 semester credits for each content area:

  1. Human Growth and Development
  2. Social and Cultural Foundations
  3. Helping Relationships
  4. Groups
  5. Lifestyles and Career Development
  6. Appraisal
  7. Research and Evaluation
  8. Professional Orientation
  9. Practicum/internship in the principles and practice of professional counseling

Field Experience Requirements: A practicum or internship of no fewer than 700 hours

State Regulation: Colorado – Regulations

State Board: Colorado – Board of Professional Counselor Examiners

Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

Connecticut

What is Issued: License

Name of What’s Issued: 

  1. Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (initial)
  2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent)

Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or regional accreditation

Examinations: The National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

Curriculum Requirements: At least 60 graduate semester hours in counseling or a related mental health field that included coursework in each of the following areas: 

  1. Human Growth and Development
  2. Social and Cultural Foundations
  3. Counseling Theories 
  4. Counseling Techniques
  5. Group Counseling
  6. Career Counseling
  7. Appraisals or Tests and Measurements to Individuals and Groups
  8. Research and Evaluation
  9. Professional Orientation to Mental Health Counseling
  10. Addiction and Substance Abuse Counseling
  11. Trauma and Crisis Counseling 
  12. Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental and Emotional Disorders

Field Experience Requirements: 

  1. A 100-hour practicum in counseling taught by a faculty member licensed or certified as a professional counselor or its equivalent in another state.
  2. A 600-hour clinical mental health counseling internship taught by a faculty member licensed or certified as a professional counselor or its equivalent in another state.

State Regulation: Connecticut – Regulations

State Board: Connecticut – Department of Public Health – Professional Counselor Licensing

Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

Delaware

What is Issued: License

Name of What’s Issued: 

  1. Licensed Associate Counselor of Mental Health (initial) 
  2. Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health (independent) 

Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Regional accreditation 

Examinations: National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

Curriculum Requirements: 

  1. Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
  2. Social and Cultural Diversity
  3. Human Growth and Development
  4. Career Development
  5. Counseling and Helping Relationships
  6. Group Counseling and Group Work
  7. Assessment and Testing
  8. Research and Program Evaluation

Field Experience Requirements: Practicum hours not specified.

State Regulation: Delaware – Regulations

State Board: Delaware – Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals

Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

District of Columbia

What is Issued: License

Name of What’s Issued: 

  1. Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (initial) 
  2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent) 

Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

Examinations: National Counselor Examination (NCE)

Curriculum Requirements: 48 semester hours in the following areas:

  1. Counseling Theory and Practice
  2. Human Growth and Development
  3. Lifestyle and Career Development
  4. Group Counseling
  5. Appraisal, Assessment, and Testing on Individuals
  6. Principles of Etiology, Diagnosis, Treatment Planning, and Prevention of Mental and Emotional Disorders and Dysfunctional Behavior
  7. Social and Cultural Foundations including Multicultural Counseling
  8. Marriage and Family Counseling
  9. Research and Program Evaluation
  10. Professional Orientation and Ethics
  11. Counseling Practicum or Internship

Field Experience Requirements: A supervised practicum and internship comparable to a CACREP-accredited program:

  1. A supervised practicum with a minimum of 100 clock hours over a full academic term that is a minimum or 10 weeks, including at least 40 clock hours of direct service with actual clients.  
  2. After completion of the practicum, a supervised internship with a minimum of 600 clock hours, including 240 clock hours of direct service.

State Regulation: District of Columbia – Regulations

State Board: District of Columbia – Board of Professional Counseling

Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

Florida

What is Issued: License

Name of What’s Issued: 

  1. Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern (initial)
  2. Licensed Mental Health Counselor (independent)

Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC), or an equivalent accrediting body

Examinations: The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

Curriculum Requirements: At least 60 graduate semester or 80 quarter hours of coursework, with 3 semester or 4 quarter hours in each of the following courses :

  1. Counseling Theories and Practice
  2. Human Growth and Development
  3. Diagnosis and Treatment of Psychopathology
  4. Human Sexuality
  5. Group Theories and Practice
  6. Individual Evaluation and Assessment
  7. Career and Lifestyle Assessment
  8. Research and Program Evaluation
  9. Social and Cultural Foundations
  10. Substance Abuse
  11. Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards Issues. 

    Field Experience Requirements: A supervised practicum and internship comparable to a CACREP-accredited program:

    1. A supervised practicum with a minimum of 100 clock hours over a full academic term that is a minimum or 10 weeks, including at least 40 clock hours of direct service with actual clients.  
    2. After completion of the practicum, a supervised internship with a minimum of 600 clock hours, including 240 clock hours of direct service.

    State Regulation: Florida – Regulations

    State Board: Florida – Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling

    Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

    Additional Important Information: 

    1. An official of the school (Dean, Department Chair) that awarded your graduate degree must provide a letter on university letterhead verifying the course title and total number of hours completed during the supervised practicum, internship, or field experience.
    2. Additional courses in the following, from a board approved provider:
      1. 8-hour Florida laws and rules course 
      2. 3-hour HIV/AIDS course 
      3. 2-hour domestic violence course 
    3. A provisional license is available only to applicants for licensure by exam or endorsement who have already met the minimum requirement of two years of post-master’s supervised experience but do not meet Florida’s licensure requirements.

    Georgia

    What is Issued: License

    Name of What’s Issued: 

    1. Associate Professional Counselor (initial)
    2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent)

    Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) or a regionally accredited program

    Examinations: Competency examination for licensure prescribed by the Board

    Curriculum Requirements: All 10 content areas of the following course work are required:

    1. Counseling/Psychotherapy Theory
    2. Human Growth and Development
    3. Multicultural Counseling or Diversity Training
    4. Counseling Techniques or Skills, or Advanced Psychotherapy/Intervention Theory
    5. Group Dynamics and Group Counseling/Psychotherapy
    6. Lifestyle and Career Development
    7. Appraisal/Assessment of Individuals
    8. Research Methods and Evaluation
    9. Professional Orientation and Ethics
    10. Psychopathology

    Field Experience Requirements: 600 practicum or internship hours.

    State Regulation: Georgia – Regulations

    State Board: Georgia – Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists

    Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

    Hawaii

    What is Issued: License

    Name of What’s Issued: 

    1. Licensed Associate Mental Health Counselor (initial)
    2. Licensed Mental Health Counselor (independent)

    Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Western Association of Schools and Colleges or a comparable regional body

    Examinations: The National Counselor Examination (NCE)

    Curriculum Requirements: At least 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours in the following course areas, with at least 3 semester hours or 5 quarter hours in each course area as indicated below, unless otherwise noted:

    1. Human Growth and Development
    2. Social and Cultural Foundations
    3. Counseling Theories and Applications
    4. Group Theory and Practice
    5. Career and Lifestyle Development
    6. Appraisal of Human Behavior
    7. Tests and Measurements
    8. Research and Program Evaluation
    9. Professional Orientation and Ethics
    10. Supervised Mental Health Practicum Intern Experience (At least 6 semester or 10 quarter hours)

    Field Experience Requirements: A total of 300 hours of supervised client contact. Total hours have not been specified by the state. 

    State Regulation: Hawaii – Regulations

    State Board: Hawaii – Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs – Mental Health Counselor Licensing Program

    Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

    Idaho

    What is Issued: License

    Name of What’s Issued: 

    1. Registered Counselor Intern (initial)
    2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent)

    Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)  or regionally accredited program

    Examinations: National Counselor Examination (NCE)

    Curriculum Requirements: 60 graduate semester hours or 90 graduate quarter hours in the following content areas:

    1. Human Growth and Development
    2. Social and Cultural Foundations
    3. The Helping Relationship
    4. Groups
    5. Lifestyle and Career Development
    6. Appraisal of the Individual
    7. Research and Evaluation
    8. Professional Orientation

    Field Experience Requirements: At least two semester courses of an advanced practicum  with 280 hours of direct client contact. Total hours not specified.

    State Regulation: Idaho – Regulations

    State Board: Idaho – Board Of Professional Counselors And Marriage And Family Therapists

    Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

    Illinois

    What is Issued: License

    Name of What’s Issued: 

    1. Licensed Professional Counselor (initial)
    2. Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (independent)

    Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or regional accreditation

    Examinations: The National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

    Curriculum Requirements: At least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours with at least one course (“course” is defined as a minimum of 3 semester hours or 4.5 quarter hours equivalent) in each of the core areas listed:

    1. Human Growth and Development
    2. Counseling Theory
    3. Counseling Techniques
    4. Group Dynamics, Processing and Counseling
    5. Appraisal of Individuals
    6. Research and Evaluation
    7. Professional, Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Relating to Professional Counseling 
    8. Social and Cultural Foundations
    9. Lifestyle and Career Development
    10. Practicum/Internship
    11. Psychopathology and Maladaptive Behavior
    12. Addictions
    13. Family Dynamics

    Field Experience Requirements: Total hours have not been specified by the state. 

    State Regulation: Illinois – Regulations

    State Board: Illinois – Professional Counselor Licensing Board

    Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

    Additional Important Information: 

    1. Applicants must take the NCE first, for the initial license, and the NCMHCE for the independent license.
    2. Proof of holding the National Certified Counselors (NCC) certification (based upon examination) shall be sufficient evidence of meeting the educational requirements.
    3. Individuals graduating from a program that requires at least 39 semester hours but less than 60 semester hours may take additional classes post-degree in a regionally accredited counseling program that issues degrees acceptable for licensure under this Part, or as approved by the Board.

    Indiana

    What is Issued: License

    Name of What’s Issued: 

    1. Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (initial)
    2. Licensed Mental Health Counselor (independent)

    Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Regional accreditation

    Examinations: National Counselor Examination (NCE)

    Curriculum Requirements: Complete 60 semester hours of graduate coursework in counseling that must include either a Master’s degree that required not less than 48 semester hours or a doctor’s degree in counseling. The graduate coursework must include the following content areas:

    1. Human Growth and Development
    2. Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling
    3. Helping Relationship, Including Counseling Theory and Practice
    4. Group Dynamics, Processes, Counseling, and Consultation
    5. Lifestyle and Career Development
    6. Assessment and Appraisal of Individuals
    7. Research and Program Evaluation
    8. Professional Orientation and Ethics
    9. Foundations of Mental Health Counseling
    10. Contextual Dimensions of Mental Health Counseling
    11. Knowledge and Skills for the Practice of Mental Health Counseling and Psychotherapy
    12. Clinical Instruction

    Field Experience Requirements: 

    1. Not less than one supervised clinical practicum, internship, or field experience in a counseling setting, which must include a minimum of 700 clock hours consisting of one practicum of 100 hours. 
    2. One internship of 600 hours with at least 66 hours of face to face supervision.

    State Regulation: Indiana – Regulations

    State Board: Indiana – Behavioral Health And Human Services

    Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

    Additional Information: 

    A temporary permit may be granted to those who have met all licensure requirements to be approved for their national exam but have not taken or passed the exam.

    Iowa

    What is Issued: License

    Name of What’s Issued: 

    1. Temporary Licensed Mental Health Counselor (initial)
    2. Licensed Mental Health Counselor (independent) 

    Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

    Examinations: National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

    Curriculum Requirements: At least 60 semester hours of graduate level coursework: 

    1. Professional Orientation 
    2. Social and Cultural Foundations
    3. Human Growth and Development
    4. Career and Lifestyle Development
    5. Helping Relationship
    6. Groups
    7. Diagnosis and Assessment Treatment Procedures
    8. Research and Program Evaluation
    9. Psychopathology
    10. Counseling Theories
    11. Practicum/Internship

      Field Experience Requirements: Coursework must include 6 semester hours of graduate-level credit. Total hours not specified.

      State Regulation: Iowa – Regulations

      State Board: Iowa – Board of Behavioral Health Professionals

      Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

      Kansas

      What is Issued: License

      Name of What’s Issued: 

      1. Licensed Professional Counselor (initial) 

      2. Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (independent) 

      Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Regional accreditation equal to standards equivalent to those met by Kansas colleges and universities

      Examinations: The National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE)

      Curriculum Requirements: At least 60 semester hours. There should be at least 2 discrete and unduplicated semester hours, or the academic equivalent, in each of the following courses:

      1. Counseling Theory and Practice
      2. The Helping Relationship
      3. Group Dynamics, Processes, and Counseling Approaches and Techniques
      4. Human Growth and Development
      5. Career Development and Lifestyle Foundations
      6. Appraisal of Individuals and Studies and Training in the Development of a Framework for Understanding the Individual
      7. Social and Cultural Foundations
      8. Research and Evaluation
      9. Professional Orientation
      10. Supervised Practicum and Internship
      11. 15 graduate semester hours, or academic equivalent supporting diagnosis or treatment of mental disorders using the “diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders”. It must include the following: 2 graduate semester hours, or the academic equivalent, of discrete coursework in ethics and 2 graduate semester hours, or the academic equivalent, of discrete coursework in psychopathology and diagnostic assessment, including the study of the latest edition of the “diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders” and assessment instruments that support diagnosis.

      Field Experience Requirements: A supervised clinical practicum of professional experience that includes psychotherapy and assessment. The practicum shall integrate diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders with use of the “diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders” and shall include at least 280 hours of direct client contact; or completion of additional direct client contact hours providing psychotherapy and assessment as part of the postgraduate supervised experience. Total hours have not been specified by the state.  

      State Regulation: Kansas – Regulations

      State Board: Kansas – Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board

      Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

      Additional Important Information: There is not a separate application for a temporary license. Once the licensure application has been submitted and reviewed by the board you will be notified of your eligibility for a temporary license.

      Kentucky

      What is Issued: License

      Name of What’s Issued: 

      1. Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (initial) 
      2. Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (independent) 

      Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or its affiliates

      Examinations: National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

      Curriculum Requirements: 60 graduate semester hours or 90 graduate quarter hours in the following content areas: 

      1. The Helping Relationship
      2. Human Growth and Development
      3. Lifestyle and Career Development
      4. Group Dynamics, Process, Counseling, and Consulting
      5. Assessment, Appraisal, and Testing of Individuals
      6. Social and Cultural Foundations
      7. Principles of Etiology, Diagnosis, Treatment Planning, and Prevention of Mental and Emotional Disorders and Dysfunctional Behavior
      8. Research and Evaluation
      9. Professional Orientation

      Field Experience Requirements: A minimum of 2 semester courses of practicum or internship experience of at least 600 hours with at least 240 hours of direct service.

      State Regulation: Kentucky – Regulations

      State Board: Kentucky – Board of Licensed Professional Counselors

      Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

      Louisiana

      What is Issued: License

      Name of What’s Issued: 

      1. Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (initial) 
      2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent) 

      Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

      Examinations: National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

      Curriculum Requirements: At least 60 graduate credit hours in 8 required areas: 

      1. Counseling/Psychotherapy Theories of Personality
      2. Human Growth and Development
      3. Abnormal Behavior
      4. Techniques of Counseling/Psychotherapy
      5. Group Dynamics, Processes, and Counseling/Psychotherapy
      6. Lifestyle and Career Development
      7. Appraisal of Individuals
      8. Ethics and Professional Orientation

      Field Experience Requirements: 

      1. A 100 hour practicum with 40 hours of direct counseling and 
      2. A 600 hour internship with 240 hours of direct counseling

      State Regulation: Louisiana – Regulations

      State Board: Louisiana – Board of Licensed Professional Counselors

      Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

      Maine

      What is Issued: License

      Name of What’s Issued: 

      1. Conditional License (initial) 
      2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent) 

      Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or the Council on Rehabilitation Evaluation (CORE) or equivalent

      Examinations: National Counselor Examination (NCE)

      Curriculum Requirements: At least 48 semester hours in the following areas:

      1. Human Growth and Development
      2. Social and Cultural Foundations
      3. Helping Relationships
      4. Groups
      5. Lifestyle and Career Development
      6. Measurement
      7. Research and Evaluation
      8. Professional Orientation

      Field Experience Requirements: 

      1. Practicum: A course of instruction that provides practical experience in counseling for the purpose of developing individual and group counseling skills. Total hours are not specified.
      2. Internship: A supervised counseling experience of at least 600 clock hours. 
      3. In lieu of the practicum and internship, an applicant may provide documentation of 700 hours of lawfully obtained supervised counseling experience. At least 280 hours must consist of direct client contact hours. Documentation must include supervisor affidavits and a copy of the applicant’s final evaluation.

      State Regulation: Maine – Regulations

      State Board: Maine – Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure

      Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

      Maryland

      What is Issued: License

      Name of What’s Issued: 

      1. Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (initial) 
      2. Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (independent) 

      Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: National or regional accrediting body recognized by the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation

      Examinations: 

      1. The National Counselor Examination (NCE) and; 
      2. The Maryland Law Assessment

      Curriculum Requirements: At least 60 graduate semester or 90 quarter hours, with at least 3 semester credit or the equivalent quarter credit hours of course work in each of the following course content areas:

      1. Human Growth and Personality Development
      2. Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling
      3. Counseling Theory
      4. Counseling Techniques
      5. Group Dynamics, Processing, and Counseling
      6. Lifestyle and Career Development
      7. Appraisal
      8. Research and Evaluation
      9. Professional, Legal, and Ethical Responsibilities
      10. Marriage and Family Therapy
      11. Alcohol and Drug Counseling
      12. Psychopathology
      13. Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental and Emotional Disorders

      Field Experience Requirements: A supervised clinical internship, externship, field experience, or practicum placement; and direct client contact in counseling experience with a minimum of 125 hours face-to-face client counseling. Total hours have not been specified by the state. 

      State Regulation: Maryland – Regulations

      State Board: Maryland – Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists

      Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

      Massachusetts

      What is Issued: License

      Name of What’s Issued: Licensed Mental Health Counselor (independent)

      Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Regional accreditation

      Examinations: The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

      Curriculum Requirements: At least 60 semester credit hours or 80 quarter credit hours in the following areas:

      1. Counseling Theory
      2. Human Growth and Development
      3. Psychopathology
      4. Social and Cultural Foundations
      5. Clinical Skills
      6. Group Work
      7. Special Treatment Issues
      8. Appraisal
      9. Research and Evaluation
      10. Professional Orientation
      11. Elective Areas

      Field Experience Requirements: 

      1. Practicum: A distinctly defined, pre-Internship, supervised curricular experience that totals a minimum of 100 clock hours, including 40 direct client contact hours and 25 supervisory contact hours, over a minimum period of at least 7 weeks in a clinical field experience site. 
      2. Internship: A distinctly defined, post-Practicum, supervised curricular experience that totals a minimum of 600 clock hours, including 240 direct client contact hours and 45 supervisory contact hours. 

      State Regulation: Massachusetts – Regulations

      State Board: Massachusetts – Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions

      Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

      Additional Important Information: 

      1. An initial license is not required to begin accruing postgraduate supervision hours. 
      2. Graduate Level Courses other than required Graduate Level Courses, must be elective Graduate Level Courses which include knowledge and skills in the practice of Mental Health Counseling. List of possible courses are provided in the rules and regulations.

      Michigan

      What is Issued: License

      Name of What’s Issued: 

      1. Limited Licensed Counselor (initial)
      2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent) 

      Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

      Examinations: National Counselor Examination (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

      Curriculum Requirements: Not less than 60  semester hours or 90 quarter hours in a graduate-level degree granting program:

      1. Diagnosis
      2. Treatment of Mental Health and Emotional Disorders
      3. Professional Orientation and Ethical Practice
      4. Social and Cultural Diversity
      5. Human Growth and Development
      6. Career Development
      7. Helping Relationships
      8. Group Work
      9. Assessment
      10. Research and Program Evaluation
      11. Practicum
      12. Internship

      Field Experience Requirements: A supervised practicum and internship comparable to a CACREP-accredited program:

      1. A supervised practicum with a minimum of 100 clock hours over a full academic term that is a minimum or 10 weeks, including at least 40 clock hours of direct service with actual clients.  
      2. After completion of the practicum, a supervised internship with a minimum of 600 clock hours, including 240 clock hours of direct service.

      State Regulation: Michigan – Regulations

      State Board: Michigan – Board of Counseling

      Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

      Additional Important Information: Individuals seeking licensure must have completed training in identifying victims of human trafficking prior to being issued a license. The training must only be completed one time.

      Minnesota

      What is Issued: License

      Name of What’s Issued: Licensed Professional Counselor (independent)

      Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or regionally accredited organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

      Examinations: National Counselor Examination (NCE), the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE), or an alternate examination, determined by the Board to be equivalent to the NCE 

      Curriculum Requirements: 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours including the following content areas:

      1. The Helping Relationship, including Counseling Theory and Practice
      2. Human Growth and Development
      3. Lifestyle and Career Development
      4. Group Dynamics, Processes, Counseling, and Consulting
      5. Assessment and Appraisal
      6. Social and Cultural Foundations, including Multicultural Issues
      7. Principles of Etiology, Treatment Planning, and Prevention of Mental and Emotional Disorders and Dysfunctional Behavior
      8. Family Counseling and Therapy
      9. Research and Evaluation
      10. Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethics

      Field Experience Requirements: Field experience of not fewer than 700 hours that is counseling in nature.

      State Regulation: Minnesota – Regulations

      State Board: Minnesota – Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy

      Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

      Additional Important Information: An initial license is not required to begin accruing postgraduate supervision hours. Students can wait to apply for licensure until the 2000 hours have been completed with a board-approved supervisor OR apply for the license immediately, create a board-approved supervision plan, and will have a supervised practice designation.

      Mississippi

      What is Issued: License

      Name of What’s Issued: 

      1. Provisional-Licensed Professional Counselor (initial) 
      2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent) 

      Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or degree programs with the word counseling in its title and meet the structure of CACREP

      Examinations: 

      1. National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Exam (NCMHCE)
      2. Jurisprudence Examination

      Curriculum Requirements: Degree program with the word counseling in its titles and meet the structure of CACREP as it specifically pertains to the 12 courses specified, with at least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours in the following areas:

      1. Human Growth and Development
      2. Social and Cultural Foundations
      3. Counseling and Psychotherapy Skills
      4. Group Counseling
      5. Lifestyle and Career Development
      6. Testing and Appraisal
      7. Research and Evaluation
      8. Professional Orientation to Counseling or Ethics
      9. Theories of Counseling Psychotherapy and Personality
      10. Marriage and/or Family Therapy
      11. Abnormal Psychology and Psychopathology
      12. Internship

      Field Experience Requirements: Internship details and total hours not specified.

      State Regulation: Mississippi – Regulations

      State Board: Mississippi – Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors

      Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

      Missouri

      What is Issued: License

      Name of What’s Issued: 

      1. Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (initial)
      2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent) 

      Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or CACREP equivalent. Courses primarily done online must be CACREP or CORE accredited. 

      Examinations: 

      1. National Counselor Examination (NCE)
      2. Jurisprudence Examination

      Curriculum Requirements: At least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours, including 3 semester hours in each of the following areas:

      1. Assessment
      2. Career Counseling
      3. Counseling Theory
      4. Counseling Skills and Interventions
      5. Diagnosis
      6. Human Growth and Development
      7. Group Counseling
      8. Social and Cultural Diversity
      9. Research Methods
      10. Practicum/Internship
      11. Professional Orientation

        Field Experience Requirements: The practicum or internship shall be a field experience and span at least 2 academic semesters and shall consist of at least 600 clock hours and include a minimum of 240 clock hours providing face-to face counseling, including Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant telehealth.

        State Regulation: Missouri – Regulations

        State Board: Missouri – Committee for Professional Counselors

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        Additional Important Information: Two hours of suicide prevention training is required for initial and renewal of licensure.

        Montana

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: 

        1. Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Candidate (initial) 
        2.  Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (independent) 

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

        Examinations: National Counselor Exam (NCE)  or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

        Curriculum Requirements: 60 semester hours in the following areas:

        1. Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice 
        2. Social and Cultural Diversity 
        3. Human Growth and Development 
        4. Career Development 
        5. Counseling and Helping Relationships 
        6. Group Counseling and Group Work 
        7. Assessment and Testing 
        8. Research and Program Evaluation

        Field Experience Requirements: 6 semester hours in an advanced counseling practicum.

        1. Supervision by licensed program faculty to include: a) a minimum of 30 hours individual face-to-face consultation and review with supervisor; b) a minimum of 45 hours small group supervisory consultation with supervisor and peers in practicum program;
        2. A minimum of 200 clock hours of service to clients which includes: a) a minimum of 80 hours offering face-to-face direct service to individual, family, and group clients.

        State Regulation: Montana – Regulations

        State Board: Montana – Board of Behavioral Health

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        Nebraska

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: 

        1. Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (initial)
        2. Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (independent)

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent 

        Examinations: The National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

        Curriculum Requirements: At least 60 semester hours, with at least 3 credits in each of the following: 

        1. Theories and Techniques 
        2. Professional Ethics 
        3. Assessment Techniques 
        4. Human Growth and Development 
        5. Research and Evaluation
        6. Social and Cultural Diversity

        Field Experience Requirements: 

        A supervised practicum or internship with a minimum of 300 clock hours of direct client contact of which 150 clock hours must be face-to-face in a work setting. Total hours have not been specified by the state.

        State Regulation: Nebraska – Regulations

        State Board: Nebraska – Department of Health and Human Services – Mental Health and Social Work Practice

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        Additional Important Information: There are other licensure options available to applicants, which may require additional coursework or practical hours. Contact the state board for additional information.

        Nevada

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: 

        1. Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Intern (initial)
        2. Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (independent)

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

        Examinations: National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

        Curriculum Requirements: At least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours in the following areas:

        1. At least two courses in human development, including, without limitation, issues of sexuality.

        At least one course in:

        1. Individual Counseling Theories
        2. Individual Counseling Techniques and Practice
        3. Lifestyle and Career Development
        4. Group Dynamics, Counseling, and Consulting
        5. Ethics and Professional Studies
        6. Diagnosis and Assessment, including, without limitation, the use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) 
        7. Social and Cultural Foundations
        8. Research and Evaluation
        9. Abuse of Alcohol or Controlled Substances
        10. Couples Counseling
        11. Family Systems
        12. Crisis or Trauma
        13. Grief or Loss

        Field Experience Requirements: The courses in the supervised practice of clinical professional counseling must include clinical experience working with individuals, couples, and families and be equivalent to three courses taken during three semesters or four courses taken during four quarters which provide a minimum of 40 weeks of supervised practice. 

        State Regulation: Nevada – Regulations

        State Board: Nevada – Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists & Clinical Professional Counselors

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        New Hampshire

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (independent)

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent 

        Examinations: National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

        Curriculum Requirements: The 60 semester hour degree in mental health counseling shall include coursework consisting of at least 33 semester hours from the following 11 areas:

        1. Human Growth and Development
        2. Abnormal Psychology/Psychopathology
        3. Clinical Counseling Theories
        4. Clinical Counseling Techniques
        5. Social and Cultural Foundations
        6. Group Work
        7. Professional Orientation and Ethics of Mental Health Counseling
        8. Career and Lifestyle Development
        9. Testing and Assessment
        10. Research and Program Evaluation
        11. Addictive Behaviors

        Field Experience Requirements: At least 700 hours of supervised practicum and/or internship appropriate to mental health counseling.

        State Regulation: New Hampshire – Regulations

        State Board: New Hampshire – Board of Mental Health Practice

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        Additional Important Information: An initial license is not required to begin accruing postgraduate supervision hours. 

        New Jersey

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: 

        1. Licensed Associate Counselor (initial) 
        2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent) 

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

        Examinations: National Counselor Examination (NCE)

        Curriculum Requirements: 60 semester hours of which 45 semester hours shall be distributed in at least eight of the following areas: 

        1. Counseling Theory and Practice
        2. The Helping Relationship
        3. Human Growth and Development and Maladaptive Behavior
        4. Lifestyle and Career Development
        5. Group Dynamics, Processes, Counseling and Consulting
        6. Appraisal of Individuals
        7. Social and Cultural Foundations
        8. Research and Evaluation
        9. The Counseling Profession

        Field Experience Requirements: Total hours have not been specified by the state.

        State Regulation: New Jersey – Regulations

        State Board: New Jersey – Professional Counselor Examiners Committee

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        New Mexico

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: 

        1. Licensed Mental Health Counselor (initial) 
        2. Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor (independent) 

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Regionally accredited

        Examinations: National Counselor Examination (NCE) 

        Curriculum Requirements: At least 48 graduate or 72 quarter hours in the core areas, with 3 semester or 4 quarter hours in each, unless otherwise noted:

        1. Human Growth and Development
        2. Social and Cultural Foundations
        3. Helping Relationships
        4. Group Work
        5. Career and Lifestyle Development
        6. Appraisal
        7. Research Methods
        8. Professional Orientation
        9. Specialized Clinical Studies (A minimum of 12 semester or 18 quarter hours)
        10. Supervised Practicum (A minimum of 9 semester or 12 quarter hours)

        Field Experience Requirements: Total hours have not been specified by the state.

        State Regulation: New Mexico – Regulations

        State Board: New Mexico – Counseling and Therapy Practice Board

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        New York

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: 

        1. Limited Permit in Mental Health Counseling (initial) 
        2. Licensed Mental Health Counselor (independent) 

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

        Examinations: National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE)

        Curriculum Requirements: At least 60 semester hours, or the equivalent, of study that contains curricular content that includes but is not limited to each of the following content areas:

        1. Human Growth and Development
        2. Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling
        3. Counseling Theory and Practice
        4. Psychopathology
        5. Group Dynamics
        6. Lifestyle and Career Development
        7. Assessment and Appraisal of Individuals, Couples, Families and Groups
        8. Research and Program Evaluation
        9. Professional Orientation and Ethics
        10. Foundations of Mental Health Counseling and Consultation
        11. Clinical Instruction

        Field Experience Requirements: Must include a supervised internship or supervised practicum in mental health counseling of at least one-year, defined as at least 600 clock hours.

        State Regulation: New York – Regulations

        State Board: New York – Board for Mental Health Practitioners

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        North Carolina

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: 

        1. Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (initial) 
        2. Licensed Clinical Mental Counselor (independent) 

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

        Examinations: 

        1. National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE)
        2. Jurisprudence Examination

        Curriculum Requirements: 3 semester hours in each category: 

        1. Helping Relationships
        2. Professional Orientation
        3. Human Growth and Development Theories
        4. Social and Cultural Foundations
        5. Group Counseling Theories and Processes
        6. Career Counseling and Lifestyle Development
        7. Assessment 
        8. Research and Program Evaluation

        Field Experience Requirements: 

        CACREP requirements for practicum and internship. 

        1. A supervised practicum with a minimum of 100 clock hours over a full academic term that is a minimum or 10 weeks, including at least 40 clock hours of direct service with actual clients.  
        2. After completion of the practicum, a supervised internship with a minimum of 600 clock hours, including 240 clock hours of direct service

        State Regulation: North Carolina – Regulations

        State Board: North Carolina – Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        North Dakota

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: 

        1. Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (initial) 
        2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent) 

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Regional accreditation

        Examinations: The National Counselor Examination (NCE)

        Curriculum Requirements: 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits relating to counseling, including coursework in:

        1. Counseling Theories
        2. Counseling Methods
        3. Group Counseling
        4. Individual Appraisal, Assessment, or Testing
        5. Counseling-related Research Methods  (must include content on statistical analysis of data sets pertaining to topics in counseling)
        6. Human Growth and Development
        7. Multicultural Counseling
        8. Career and Lifestyle Development
        9. Professional Orientation and Ethics (must include content on the profession of counseling and the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics)
        10. Practicum and Internship

        Field Experience Requirements: 

        1. Practicum: 100 hours of training in supervised practica in settings relevant to the practice of counseling.
        2. Internship: 600 hours of training in supervised internship settings relevant to the practice of counseling.

        State Regulation: North Dakota – Regulations

        State Board: North Dakota – Board of Counselor Examiners

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        Ohio

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: 

        1. Licensed Professional Counselor (initial) 

        2. Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (independent)  

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

        Examinations: National Counselor Examination (NCE) and The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

        Curriculum Requirements: At least 60 semester credits in the following areas:

        1. Counseling Theories
        2. Counseling Techniques
        3. Human Growth and Development
        4. Social and Cultural Foundations
        5. Group Dynamics
        6. Lifestyle and Career Development
        7. Appraisal of the Individual
        8. Research
        9. Professional, Legal and Ethical Responsibilities

        Clinical Coursework either as a part of the applicant’s master degree or after the award of the degree, or twenty semester hours, of instruction acceptable to the board and represented by at least one graduate course in each of the following areas:

        1. Evaluation of Mental and Emotional Disorders 
        2. Diagnosis of Mental and Emotional Disorders, Clinical Psychopathology, Personality and Abnormal Behavior 
        3. Methods of Intervention and Prevention of Mental and Emotional Disorders 
        4. Treatment of Mental and Emotional Disorders

        Field Experience Requirements: CACREP requirements for practicum and internship. 

        1. A supervised practicum with a minimum of 100 clock hours over a full academic term that is a minimum or 10 weeks, including at least 40 clock hours of direct service with actual clients.  
        2. After completion of the practicum, a supervised internship with a minimum of 600 clock hours, including 240 clock hours of direct service

        State Regulation: Ohio – Regulations

        State Board: Ohio – Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        Additional Important Information: Some field experience sites may require students to register as a “Counselor Trainee” while obtaining practicum and internship hours.

        Oklahoma

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: 

        1. Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (initial) 
        2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent) 

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

        Examinations:

        1. National Counselor Examination (NCE) or another equivalent examination as determined by the Board
        2. The Oklahoma Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Examination

        Curriculum Requirements: 60 semester credit hours or 90 quarter credit hours in the following knowledge areas:

        1. Human Growth and Development
        2. Abnormal Human Behavior
        3. Appraisal/Assessment Techniques
        4. Counseling Theories/Methods
        5. Professional Orientation/Ethics
        6. Research
        7. Knowledge Areas (at least 5 courses of at least 3 semester credit hours each from the knowledge areas)
          1. Group Counseling 
          2. Lifestyle and Career Development 
          3. Social and Cultural Foundations 
          4. Personality Theories 
          5. Crisis Intervention
          6. Marriage/Family Counseling 
          7. Addictions Counseling 
          8. Rehabilitation Counseling
          9. Gerontology 
          10. Human Sexuality 
          11. Counseling with Children/Adolescents 
          12. Clinical Supervision 
          13. Psychopharmacology
          14. Consultation 
          15. Physical and Emotional Health 
          16. Grief Counseling 
          17. Specialty Areas When Established

        Field Experience Requirements: At least one course of an organized practicum with at least 300 clock hours in counseling.

        State Regulation: Oklahoma – Regulations

        State Board: Oklahoma – Board of Behavioral Health Licensure

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        Oregon

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: 

        1. Professional Counselor Associate (initial)
        2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent) 

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

        Examinations: 

        1. National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
        2. Jurisprudence Examination

        Curriculum Requirements: 60 semester credit hours or 90 quarter credit hours with at least 2 semester credits in each of the following coursework:

        1. Counseling Theory
        2. Human Growth and Development
        3. Social and Cultural Foundations
        4. The Helping Relationship
        5. Group Dynamics Processing and Counseling
        6. Lifestyle and Career Development
        7. Diagnosis of mental disorders
        8. Research and Evaluation
        9. Professional Orientation (Ethics)
        10. At least 16 semester hours or 24 quarter hours of supporting coursework for specialty areas

        Field Experience Requirements:  A supervised clinical practicum or internship with at least 700 total clock hours, including 280 direct client contact hours.

        State Regulation: Oregon – Regulations

        State Board: Oregon – Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        Pennsylvania

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: Licensed Professional Counselor (independent)

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Regional accreditation

        Examinations: The National Counselor Examination (NCE)

        Curriculum Requirements: At least 2 semester hours in each of the following areas:

        1. Human growth and development
        2. Social and cultural foundations
        3. Helping relationships
        4. Group work
        5. Career and lifestyle development
        6. Appraisal
        7. Research and program evaluation
        8. Professional orientation

        Field Experience Requirements: 

        1. 100 clock hours of supervised practicum experience 
        2. 600 clock hours of supervised internship experience. The supervised internship experience shall begin after completion of the supervised practicum experience.

        State Regulation: Pennsylvania – Regulations

        State Board: Pennsylvania – Board Of Social Workers, Marriage And Family Therapists And Professional Counselors

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        Additional Important Information: An initial license is not required to begin accruing postgraduate supervision hours.

        Rhode Island

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: 

        1. Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (initial)
        2. Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (independent)

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

        Examinations: National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE)

        Curriculum Requirements: 60 semester credit hours, with 30 credit hours in the following areas:

        1. Helping Relationships and Counseling Theory (9 credits minimum)
        2. Human Growth and Development
        3. Social and Cultural Foundations
        4. Groups
        5. Lifestyle and Career Development
        6. Appraisal
        7. Research and Program Evaluation
        8. Professional Orientation

        Field Experience Requirements: 

        CACREP expectations for internship and practicum:

        1.  A supervised practicum with a minimum of 100 clock hours over a full academic term that is a minimum or 10 weeks, including at least 40 clock hours of direct service with actual clients.  
        2. After completion of the practicum, a supervised internship with a minimum of 600 clock hours, including 240 clock hours of direct service

        OR 12 semester credit hours of supervised practicum and a minimum of 1 calendar year of supervised internship consisting of 20 hours per week deemed equivalent by the board.

        State Regulation: Rhode Island – Regulations

        State Board: Rhode Island – Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage/Family Therapists

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        Additional Important Information: An initial license is not required to begin accruing postgraduate supervision hours.

        South Carolina

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: 

        1. Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (initial) 
        2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent) 

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

        Examinations: National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

        Curriculum Requirements: 60 semester credit hours, with one 3-hour graduate level course that include the following areas:

        1. Human Growth and Development
        2. Social and Cultural Foundations
        3. Helping Relationships
        4. Groups
        5. Lifestyle and Career Development
        6. Appraisal
        7. Research and Evaluation
        8. Professional Orientation
        9. Psychopathology
        10. Diagnostics of Psychopathology

        Field Experience Requirements: 

        1. Practicum: Supervised 100 hour practicum
        2. Internship: At least 600 hours under the supervision of a qualified licensed mental health practitioner 

        State Regulation: South Carolina –  Regulations

        State Board: South Carolina – Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        South Dakota

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: Licensed Professional Counselor (independent)

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

        Examinations: National Counselor Examination (NCE)

        Curriculum Requirements: 

        1. Counseling Theory
        2. Counseling Techniques
        3. Human Growth and Development
        4. Social and Cultural Foundations
        5. Group
        6. Lifestyle and Career Development
        7. Appraisal of the Individual
        8. Research and Evaluation
        9. Professional, Legal, and Ethical Considerations

        Field Experience Requirements: 

        1. A practicum consists of no less than 100 hours, of which 40 hours are direct service. Prior to the beginning of the practicum, the student must have completed a course in counseling theory and a course in counseling techniques.
        2. A supervised internship may be no less than 600 hours of which 240 hours must be in direct services.

        State Regulation: South Dakota – Regulations

        State Board: South Dakota – Board of Examiners for Counselors & Marriage and Family Therapists

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        Additional Important Information: An initial license is not required to begin accruing postgraduate supervision hours. 

        Tennessee

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: 

        1. Temporary Licensed Professional Counselor (initial)
        2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent) 
        3. Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation (independent)

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

        Examinations: 

        1. National Counselor Examination (NCE)
        2. Jurisprudence Examination

        Curriculum Requirements: At least 60 graduate semester hours in the following core areas:

        1. Theories of Human Behavior, Learning and Personality
        2. Abnormal Behavior
        3. Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
        4. Evaluation and Appraisal Procedures
        5. Group Dynamics, Theories and Techniques
        6. Counseling Techniques
        7. Multicultural Counseling
        8. Ethics
        9. Research

        To become a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Mental Health Services Provider designation, at least 60 graduate semester hours in the above areas as well as the following requirements:

        1. Use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)
        2. Treatment and Treatment Planning
        3.  A minimum of nine (9) graduate semester hours of coursework must be “specifically related to diagnosis, treatment, appraisal and assessment of mental disorders.”

        Field Experience Requirements: Supervised field experience as either a practicum or internship that includes a minimum of 500 clock hours of training, at least 300 of which must be completed in a mental health or community agency setting. 

        State Regulation: Tennessee – Regulations

        State Board: Tennessee – Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        Texas

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: 

        1. Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (initial) 
        2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent) 

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Regional accreditation 

        Examinations: 

        1. The National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) and;
        2. The Texas Jurisprudence Examination 

        Curriculum Requirements: At least 60 semester hours, including at least one course in each of the following:

        1. Normal Human Growth and Development
        2. Abnormal Human Behavior
        3. Appraisal or Assessment Techniques
        4. Counseling Theories
        5. Counseling Methods or Techniques
        6. Research
        7. Lifestyle and Career Development
        8. Social, Cultural, and Family Issues
        9. Professional Orientation
        10. Addictions Counseling (to include, but not limited to, gambling, sexual, eating, alcohol, or drugs)
        11. Counselor Ethics (to include records management, an overview of business/family law and professional practice, and the study of current Council rules)
        12. Couples, Marriage, or Family Counseling
        13. Psychopathology (to include criteria of psychiatric diagnosis, use of the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the theories of psychopathology. The course should also include the basic knowledge of types of psychopharmacological medications)

        Field Experience Requirements: A minimum of 300 clock-hours, of which at least 100 hours must be direct client counseling. Academic credit or other acknowledgment of the practicum/internship must appear on the applicant’s official graduate transcript.

        State Regulation: Texas – Regulations

        State Board: Texas – Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        Utah

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: 

        1. Licensed Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor (initial) 
        2. Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (independent) 

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

        Examinations: National Counselor Exam (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE)

        Curriculum Requirements: If program is not accredited by CACREP, at least 60 semester or 90 credit hours with the following graduate level coursework:

        1. Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
        2. Social and Cultural Diversity
        3. Group Counseling and Group Work
        4. Human Growth and Development
        5. Career Development
        6. Counseling and Helping Relationships
        7. Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
        8. Assessment and Testing
        9. Mental Status Examination and the Appraisal of DSM Maladaptive and Psychopathological Behavior
        10. Research and Program Evaluation

        Field Experience Requirements: 700 documented hours of supervised clinical training from at least one practicum or internship, of which 240 hours consists of providing therapy directly to clients.

        State Regulation: Utah – Regulations

        State Board: Utah – Behavioral Health Board – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        Additional Important Information: The state requires a two-hour pre-licensure suicide prevention course. 

        Vermont

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (independent)

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

        Examinations: The National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) or a Board approved successor examination or examinations on clinical mental health counseling theory and practice.

        Curriculum Requirements: At least 60 credits of graduate level coursework, with at least 3 graduate credits unless otherwise noted. If your degree does not contain 5 of the 7 (with the exception of the Diagnosis course, which must be a part of the degree), your degree will not be considered a counseling or related degree and you will not be eligible for licensure by examination. If you have 5 of the 7, the remaining 2 may be supplemented post-master’s degree. 

        1. Human Growth and Development
        2. Theories
        3. Counseling Skills
        4. Groups
        5. Measurement
        6. Professional Orientation and Ethics
        7. Treatment Modalities 
        8. Diagnosis, Assessment, and Treatment

        You must take a course (3 credits) in each of the following areas. These can be taken post-master’s degree:

        1. Multicultural Studies
        2.  Research and Evaluation
        3. Career Development and Lifestyle Appraisal

        You must take at least 3 graduate credits, in at least 2 of the 5 following areas of study (for a minimum of 6 graduate credits). These courses are necessary for licensure:

        1. Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling
        2. Human Sexuality for Counselors
        3. Crisis Intervention
        4. Addictive Disorders
        5. Psychopharmacology

        Field Experience Requirements: A supervised internship of 700 hours, with at least 600 hours to be considered acceptable. The internship may include no more than 100 hours of practicum. 

        State Regulation: Vermont – Regulations

        State Board: Vermont – Board of Allied Mental Health

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        Additional Important Information: 

        1. An initial license is not required to begin accruing postgraduate supervision hours. 
        2. Applicants for licensure as Clinical Mental Health Counselors are advised to apply as soon as they have met their graduation requirements so that they may qualify for the licensing examination at the earliest time. Applicants should not wait to complete supervised practice requirements before applying for licensure. No supervised practice may occur within the State of Vermont until the prospective licensee has been entered on the roster of non licensed and non certified psychotherapists.
        3. If the degree does not contain 3 graduate credits in Diagnosis, Assessment and Treatment, the degree does not qualify as a degree in “counseling or a related field” and cannot be used as the basis for licensure as a clinical mental health counselor. 

        Virginia

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: 

        1. Resident in Counseling (initial) 
        2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent) 

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

        Examinations: National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE)

        Curriculum Requirements: 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate study in the following core coursework, with a minimum of 3 semester hours in each:

        1. Professional Counseling Identity, Function and Ethics
        2. Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
        3. Counseling and Psychotherapy Techniques
        4. Human Growth and Development
        5. Group Counseling and Psychotherapy, Theories and Techniques
        6. Career Counseling and Development Theories and Techniques
        7. Appraisal, Evaluation and Diagnostic Procedures
        8. Abnormal Behavior and Psychopathology
        9. Multicultural Counseling, Theories and Techniques
        10. Research
        11. Diagnosis and Treatment of Addictive Disorders
        12. Marriage and Family Systems Theory

        Field Experience Requirements: Supervised internship of at least 600 hours to include 240 hours of face-to-face client contact. Only internship hours earned after completion of 30 graduate semester hours may be counted towards residency hours.

        State Regulation: Virginia – Regulations

        State Board: Virginia – Board of Counseling

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        Washington

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: 

        1. Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (initial) 
        2. Licensed Mental Health Counselor (independent) 

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: An accreditation body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or United States Department of Education

        Examinations: The National Certification Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE)

        Curriculum Requirements: This core of study must include 7 of the content areas listed in 1 through 17. 5 of the content areas must be from 1 through 8 of this subsection:

        1. Assessment/Diagnosis
        2. Ethics/Law
        3. Counseling Individuals
        4. Counseling Groups
        5. Counseling Couples and Families
        6. Developmental Psychology (may be child, adolescent, adult or life span)
        7. Psychopathology/Abnormal Psychology
        8. Research and Evaluation
        9. Career Development Counseling
        10. Multicultural Concerns
        11. Substance/Chemical Abuse
        12. Physiological Psychology
        13. Organizational Psychology
        14. Mental Health Consultation
        15. Developmentally Disabled Persons
        16. Abusive Relationships
        17. Chronically Mentally Ill

        Field Experience Requirements: Completion of either a counseling practicum, or a counseling internship, or both. Exclusive use of an internship or practicum used for qualification must have incorporated supervised direct client contact. Total hours have not been specified by the state.

        State Regulation: Washington – Regulations

        State Board: Washington – Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Social Workers Advisory Committee

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        Additional Information: Applicants who have completed a master’s or doctoral program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) will be credited with 50 hours postgraduate supervision and 500 hours postgraduate experience.

        West Virginia

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: 

        1. Provisionally Licensed Counselor (initial)
        2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent)

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

        Examinations: National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) 

        Curriculum Requirements: 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate course, with a minimum of 3 semester hours in each of the following areas:

        1. Counseling Theories
        2. Counseling Techniques
        3. Human Growth and Development
        4. Social and Cultural Foundation
        5. Individual Appraisal
        6. Professional Responsibilities
        7. Principles of Etiology
        8. Addictions Counseling
        9. Group Dynamics, Processes, Counseling and Consulting
        10. Lifestyle and Career Development
        11. Marriage, Couples, and/or Family Counseling/Therapy
        12. Research and Evaluation

        Applicants must also have sufficient semester credit hours in any of the following areas: 

        1. Human Sexuality
        2. Psychopharmacology
        3. Crisis Intervention
        4. Biological Basis of Behavior
        5. Counseling Special Populations (including forensic populations, sex offenders, children and adolescents, adults, elderly, gender specific populations, seriously mentally ill individuals, and individuals affected by domestic violence, dual diagnosis, co-morbidity or co-occurring disorders)
        6. Rehabilitation Counseling
        7. Counseling Interventions

        Field Experience Requirements: Total hours not specified. Students may receive up to 600 Internship hours that are credited towards the 3000 hour minimum for the full license.

        State Regulation: West Virginia – Regulations

        State Board: West Virginia – Board of Examiners in Counseling

        Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

        Wisconsin

        What is Issued: License

        Name of What’s Issued: 

        1. Professional Counselor Training License (initial) 
        2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent) 

        Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent

        Examinations: National Certification Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE)

        Curriculum Requirements: 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of academic credit, with at least 3 semester hours in each of the following areas:

        1. Counseling Theory
        2. Human Growth and Development
        3. Social and Cultural Foundations
        4. Helping Relationship
        5. Group Dynamics Processing and Counseling
        6. Lifestyle and Career Development
        7. Assessment and Testing
        8. Research and Evaluation
        9. Professional Counseling Orientation
        10. Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Foundations of Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
        11. Clinical Mental Health Counseling Diagnosis and Treatment Planning or Rehabilitation Counseling Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
        12. Crisis and Trauma Counseling or Abnormal Behavior and Psychopathology or Addictions Counseling or Family, Partnership, and Couples Counseling

          Field Experience Requirements: 

          1. Practicum: At least 3 semester hours of academic credit in a supervised practicum of a minimum of 100 hours total with 40 hours of direct client contact
          2. Internship: At least 6 semester hours of academic credits in a supervised internship of a minimum of 600 hours total with 240 hours of direct client contact

          State Regulation: Wisconsin – Regulations

          State Board: Wisconsin – Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board

          Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements

          Wyoming

          What is Issued: License

          Name of What’s Issued: 

          1. Provisional Professional Counselor (initial)
          2. Licensed Professional Counselor (independent)

          Programmatic Accreditation Requirements: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE), or a regional or national institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

          Examinations: National Certification Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE)

          Curriculum Requirements: 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours in the following areas:

          1. Human Growth and Development
          2. Social and Cultural Diversity
          3. Helping Relationship
          4. Group Work
          5. Career Development
          6. Assessment
          7. Research and Program Evaluation
          8. Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice

          Field Experience Requirements: 

          1. Students must complete a supervised practicum that totals a minimum of 100 clock hours over a minimum 10-week academic term. 
          2. The program must require a completion of a supervised internship of 600 clock hours, begun after successful completion of the practicum. The internship must include at least 240 clock hours of direct service, including experience leading groups.

          State Regulation: Wyoming – Regulations

          State Board: Wyoming – Mental Health Professions Licensing Board

          Federal Disclosure: Meets State Requirements